The National Year of Reading and 16 Years of BookMachine
We’ve arrived. The National Year of Reading is here, and it just so happens to coincide with 16 years of running BookMachine.
Like many of my colleagues across publishing, I spent a lot of time talking about this in 2025. We rejoiced at the initial announcement, pored over the website and branding when it was released, and told our friends and family all about it (my 10-year-old son now rolls his eyes whenever I mention it). It felt a bit like the birth of a new child in the family, and finally, it’s here.
BookMachine is rooted in the publishing industry. While we now work across a range of related sectors, our foundations are firmly in publishing. That’s why The National Year of Reading brings not just excitement, but also a real sense of pride and responsibility. We feel strongly about working with our clients and members to help ensure this initiative succeeds, and that it has a meaningful, lasting impact on readers and readers-to-be across the UK.
We know reading levels are in decline, and that fewer people than ever are reading. But we’re hopeful about this initiative because we also know what an extraordinary job publishers have done over the past decades to create reading resources for every taste imaginable. The tagline ‘Go All In’ only works because of the sheer range of books available. Whether you’re a 7-year-old curious about military history, a 20-year-old keen to learn cross stitch, or a 70-year-old historical fiction fan – there really is something for everyone, and for that we’re hugely grateful to the talented publishers we’re lucky to work with.
At BookMachine, our contribution goes beyond helping our clients to market their books. We also focus on creating content that inspires and supports the people working across the industry. Recently, we’ve published two podcasts: Reading, Resilience and Reclaiming the Truth Online with Amelia Fairney, Head of Strategy & Communications at Shout Out UK, which explores declining children’s literacy and vulnerability to harmful online influences; and How Audio Stories Build Literacy with Carla Herbertson, Co-Founder of Small Wardour, which looks at audio publishing for young readers and how it can empower literacy and critical thinking.
Later this month we’ll be releasing our programme of events while celebrating 16 years of BookMachine, continuing to contribute to the wonderful world of books, the people who work within it, and everyone who can benefit from the power of stories in all their forms.
